It was gathered that while Akpabio was with the Vice President, the National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of his party, the PDP, was also going on, with Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other recent defectors from the APC, in attendance.

A ranking Senator revealed that Akpabio had since perfected his plans to dump the PDP.

“If not for the impunity of Saraki, he (Akpabio) would have announced his defection, penultimate Tuesday, when we proceeded on recess. He was to announce it that day, but Saraki stopped him”, the Senator, who did not want be named, said.

It was learnt that if Akpabio decamps, he would be the second Senator from the oil rich Akwa Ibom, to join the APC.

In January, last year, Senator Nelson Effiong (PDP, Akwa-Ibom South), joined the APC.